When I first began practicing yoga I was joining my friends in Boston for the class on campus. We would practice in the room used for everything from gymnastics to kickboxing. We didn't know the difference between vinyasa and yin.

Yoga has changed quite a bit since I was introduced to the practice. Today, there are over 20 varieties of yoga to practice. From naked yoga to yoga for dogs, anyone can find their interest. An important fact to remember: all yoga is Hatha Yoga. Whether heated or on water, if you are physically moving, you are doing Hatha or, forceful yoga.

{A generalized guide to finding your style of practice.}

The thing that makes the practice truly different is the work that you are doing. Yoga is more than just a physical practice. If you are taking classes in a gym, it is likely that you are doing more "working-out," than "working-in." In a yoga studio, you have the opportunity to enjoy the energy of the space and experience more than just a work out.

{Wedding Day Yoga at The Ridge Tahoe.}

A yoga studio is dedicated to practicing yoga in its deepest form. In a gym, conference room or classroom, the space is being used to provide a variety of activities that have various types of energy. Think about it; a Jazzersize class is high energy, lots of movement and loud music, a kickboxing or spin class is about aggressive movement and athletic drive. A yoga class has a very different energy form these activities. It is a practice of conscious movement and breathing. There is no competition, no aggression, just you and your own body, breath and mind.

You can find the postures from yoga in gyms, on baseball fields, at the airport or in your office. What you will find difficult to access is the energy. No matter the style which you choose, yoga is a practice that is more than physical. If you find yourself seeking more than just a workout, try yoga in a studio. It may hold exactly what you are hoping for.

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